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Preferred citation

Letter from THOMAS WILLIAM SILLOWAY to GEORGE PERKINS MARSH,
dated April 14, 1858.,
Original located at the University of Vermont's Special Collections in the George
Perkins Marsh Collection, filed by date.,
http://cdi.uvm.edu/collections/item/twsgpm580414 (accessed August 02, 2015)

Letter from THOMAS WILLIAM SILLOWAY to GEORGE PERKINS MARSH,
dated April 14, 1858.

Transcribed by
:
Ellen Thomson and Ralph H. Orth

TEI mark-up by
:
James P. Tranowski andEllen Thomson

Published by: University of Vermont. All rights reserved.

Publication Information

Boston Apr. 14..1858

Mr. Marsh.

The doctor arrived in Boston yesterday, and booked his name at
the Quincy House (where I board) He usualy stops here. As yet I have not seen him,
but presume I shall soon. I wrote to you from Montpelier or somewhere on the way
home, in regard to an architect by the name of Richards who
was at M. at the time the commissioners were deciding in regard to the design. If
you remember Chapman down at Cavendish or Procter'sville was
employed by Richards to work for him with the people of the town. I suspected that
Powers would flee to him for refuge in the event that I did not side with
and for him. He wrote a letter to Chapman as I wrote to you and sent it
down in the same train that I went in. My opinion was that thinking he could no
longer use me, he had written to Chapman to get him -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- to get Richards
into the ring again. My opinion is strengthed to-night for a C. H. Chapman of
Cavendish has booked his name. If it is the same one I think that Richards is to be
put on the course to run a race at the State's expense. However I do not flinch from
duty and shall stick by the ship. I thought I would inform you of this as you might
wish to know it. This same Richards went up to Montpelier with letters of
introduction from eminent men here, stating that he was a great man, and Chairman of
the board of commissioners for remodelling our State House. This is true but in an
extremely qualified sense. I have in my possesion the printed reports of the
-------------------------------- Page --------------------------------
Commissioners, which states that the roof would be ready to put on such a day. This
board Richards was not on. He got in by aid of political friends, but not till the
roof was completed, put on, and but little to do with the exception of grading. The
finish is cast iron and was all drawn and being executed long before he was
ever head of. I have the printed documents to substantiate what I say. The letters
call Richards the Chairman of the Com, but takes entire care to withold the fact
that he had nothing to do but clean up c. Powers is probably getting in to a trap,
which will hold him tight. God keep him out of new trouble for it would seem he is
in enough now. I hope to know more tomorrow and may write you again. I am in a hard
place but with proper aid can do much.